Why 1 John Frustrates Scholars — and Transforms Believers

Understanding the Repetitive Structure of 1 John and Its Power for Spiritual Growth

For over a century, scholars have puzzled over the strange structure of 1 John. Unlike Paul’s crisp arguments or Peter’s pastoral flow, John seems to write in loops. He returns—again and again—to the same words: light, love, sin, fellowship, assurance. It’s not a linear argument. It’s a spiral.

One frustrated scholar once said, “You could rearrange the units almost at will and 1 John would still make sense.” Others call it a jumble of disconnected thoughts—more poetry than prose.

But maybe the problem isn’t with John. Maybe the problem is how we’ve been trained to read Scripture.

📚 The Real Problem: Our Reading Expectations

Modern Bible readers often inherit Enlightenment expectations:

• Scripture should give clear arguments

• It should progress logically

• It should avoid repetition

• It should be easy to outline

But 1 John defies all that. It feels scattered and repetitive—until we realize:The Bible wasn’t written just to inform our minds. It was written to transform our hearts.

Repetition Isn’t a Flaw—It’s a Feature

Reformed theology teaches that sanctification—the process of growing in Christ—is gradual.

We don’t change through one-time insights. We grow through repeated exposure to truth, applied by the Spirit over time.

This is exactly what 1 John does.

• It doesn't define love—it forms you into someone who loves.

• It doesn't outline light—it awakens you to walk in it.

• It doesn't analyze sin—it invites you to confess and be cleansed.

Its spiral structure isn’t an academic failure. It’s how spiritual growth actually works.

Think of 1 John Like Worship

Every Sunday, we confess our sins, hear God’s pardon, read Scripture, sing truth, and pray again. Why? Because repetition is how grace is worked into our hearts.

So it is with 1 John.

John keeps circling through these themes:

• Light – God’s holiness and truth

• Fellowship – Union with Christ and one another

• Sin & Confession – Ongoing repentance and renewal

• Assurance – Confidence in our salvation

• Abiding – Persevering trust in Christ

• Transformation – Gradual change by the Spirit

These aren’t just ideas to understand. They’re realities to inhabit.

A Better Way to Read 1 John

Try reading it not like a textbook, but like a spiritual exercise:

1. Study It Carefully – Trace its doctrines. See how John emphasizes assurance, holiness, and love.

2. Read It Slowly – Revisit the same verses over time. Let them speak to deeper places.

3. Discuss It Together – Study it in community. Let it shape your love for one another.

4. Obey It Practically – Don’t just highlight verses on love—go love someone today.

The Spirit’s Agenda: Formation Over Information

The goal of Bible reading isn’t to become a better theologian.It’s to become more like Jesus.

John didn’t write this letter to impress the academy. He wrote it to shape believers—to help them walk in light, abound in love, and live in full assurance of salvation.

So if 1 John frustrates your desire for neat outlines, maybe that’s a good thing.

Maybe the spiral is the point.

Final Thought

“All Scripture is God-breathed and useful…”Not just for lectures or commentaries—but for shaping lives.

So next time you open 1 John, don’t ask, “What does this mean?”Ask instead, “How is the Spirit using this to form me into Christ?”

The repetition isn’t a bug. It’s grace at work. exactly what God knows you need for growth in grace?